Storage rack



Dec. 15, 1964 H. o. MEUCHE 3,161,294

STORAGE RACK Filed Jan. 16, 1963 /0 /4 j /Z I 54 g as 36 f 24 .50 I 1' 52 I I i 48 I 26 ab 8 INVENTOR.

[(0/74/20 0. MEI/CHE United States Patent 3,161,294 STGRAGE RAQK Howard 9. Metre-he, 1312 S. 13th St, Vineennes, ind. Fiied Jan. 16, 1963, Set. No. 2513M 7 Claims. or. 211-41} This invention relates to storage apparatu and, more particularly, to storage apparatus of the type comprising a storage unit and a support therefor.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved storage apparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved storage apparatus having a storage device and a support therefor and having features providing for ready attachment and detachment of these two elements. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved storage device and support combination whereof the storage device may be detached and separately employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved storage device and support combination wherein the support maintains the storage device such that the storage device is rotatable for ready access to the units stored therein.

In achieving the above and other of its objectives, the invention contemplates the provision of a storage apparatus comprising support means including a member adapted for being pivoted between horizontal and generally upright positions, there being further provided means spaced from the first said means and defining a slot terminating about the level of the aforesaid hori zontal position. Further provided is storage means detachably engageable with the aforesaid pivotal member, the storage means being slidably accommodated in the said slot.

According to a feature of the invention, the storage means pivots with the aforesaid pivotable member between horizontal and generally upright positions and the storage means is, in said horizontal position, confined between the aforesaid support means and the means defining said slot.

According to a further feature of the invention, the storage means is rotatable when in said horizontal position, said support means being detachable from the pivotable member when in upright position.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the storage means may be so constructed and arranged as to be self-supporting when in the upright position.

The storage apparatus of the invention is advantageously adapted for use in storing such items as printed circuit boards having mounted thereon a plurality of electrical components. When serving for this purpose, the storage device of the invention is preferably constructed in the form of a tube having a plurality of axially spaced circular discs mounted thereon, said discs each being provided with a plurality of radially disposed slots extending outwardly of said tube and adapted to accommodate the aforesaid printed circuit boards.

According to a further feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage device is provided with a central bore extending through the aforesaid tube, the bore constituting the means by which engagement is made with the above-noted pivotable member.

As a further feature of the invention, there is inserted into one end of the aforesaid bore a plug which rotatably supports the storage device in a manner which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

As still a further feature of the invention, carrying means in the form of, for example, a strap, can be afiixed to the aforenoted plug and the carrying means can be color-coded for purposes of identifying the storage device for a particular use.

In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, retainer means may be provided in association with the aforesaid discs and slots for purposes of fric tionally retaining printed circuit boards or circuit boards in the storage device.

Yet a further feature of the invention relates to the provision of locking mean whereby the storage device of the invention can be maintained in horizontal position.

Advantageously, the apparatus of the invention is easily fabricated from inexpensive materials, the apparatus being readily manufactured by mass production techniques whereby said apparatus is economically produced.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the acompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a storage device provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a circuit board being shown ready for insertion therein;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a cradle or support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention for use in combination with the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 in operaitve association.

in FIG. 1 is generally indicated by reference character 6 a spoolor drum-like storage device comprising generally an elongated, hollow tube 8 having a plurality of flat, circular discs 14), 12, and 14 mounted concen= trically thereon and spaced axially apart at equal distances.

Said tubes and discs may be fabricated of aluminum, plastic or other such material having the requisite strength.

Discs iii and 14 are the endmost discs and have plain, outwardly directed faces. The inwardly directed faces of discs Eli) and id, as well as the upper and lower faces of disc 12, are provided with a plurality of radially extending slots 16 extending outwardly from the axis of tube 8. Slots 1&5 are open in both axial and radial directions. The slots 16 of the respective discs are preferably equal in number and are axially aligned with one aonther. Moreover, they are preferably of the same width.

Pairs of said slots are adapted to accommodate and store elements such as, for example, circuit boards 18, having a plurality of electrical components 29 thereon. The larger of said electrical components are preferably arranged so as to be positioned near the periph cry of the discs on tube 8 whereat a greater storage space is available for the same.

Circuit boards 18 will have a thickness which adapts them for being slidably received within slots 16. To prevent said boards from falling out of said slots when the tube 8 is in horizontal disposition, the discs on tube 8 may be provided with a rubber or resilient O-ring 22 accommodated in a circular slot or groove 23 concentnic with tube 8. o-rings 22 each extend upwardly relative to the associated slots 16 and thus constitute retainers which frictionally engage the boards 18.

36 and is slidable thereon.

of tube 8 when it is in horizontal disposition. 7

As will be shown in greater detail hereinafter, a plug 24 is accommodated within one extremity,of tube 8 J and connected to the plug is a carrying device 26 which may preferably be in the form of a braided plastic strap or loop which may be color-coded to identfy the contents of the storage device'.

The support of the invention is preferably in the form of acradle 28, as illustrated in FIG. 2, said cradle received in slot 38 and being locked therein, desired, by

' locking device'54.

' If desired, the resiliency of end members 32 T be employed to confine storage device 6 therebetween comprising an elongated planar support 343 at the ends of is provided with a vertical slot 38 which is upwardly open.'

The portions generally indicated by reference characters 40 and 42 in end members 32 and 34 may be considered as facing generally inwards towards one another. The portions 44 and 46 of end members32 and 34 face generally obliquely upwards.

and to act as a brake on rotation of the latter.

There will now be; obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structure described above. These modifications and variations will not, however depart 'from' the scope of the invention if defined by'the following claims.

What is claimed'is: g a

l. A storage rack comprising an elongated hollow tube,

V a plurality of circular discs on and concentric with said As best seen in FIG. 3, a rod'48 extends through slot Said rod isprovided with a head 50, the diameter of which exceeds the Width of slot 36 so that head 50 cannot move through said slot. At-

. tached to the other end of r0d48 is a cylindrical member therebetween, the slot 48, head 50 and anchor 52 'consti-- tuting aunn't displaceable in slot 36 between substantially horizontal and generally upright positions, in the latter of which thetube 8 may be engaged and disengaged from.

the anchor 52. p V I The outer. diameter of tube 8 exceeds the width .of slot 52 within the tube 8 can be 38' in end member 34, so that the tube 8 is not displaceable through the latter said slot. The plug 24,.however, has a. diameter which is slightly less'than the width of slot 38 so thatsaid plug might be slidably accommodated within the latter said slot. The slot 38 terminates'at a position corresponding to the position of anchor 52 when the.

latter is horizontally disposed whereby tube 8 may. 'be

avoids contactbetween the aforesaid discs and the lower support 30. Moreover, the engagement of rod 43 in slot 36 and of plug 24 in slot 38 is such as to permit rotation As can beseen from the aforegoing description, the radial disposition of boards 18 in the storage device 6 causes the same to be radially removable from the storage device 6 as the latter is selectively rotated about the axis of tube 8 when the latter is horizontally disposed. Normally, should the boards be removed in horizontal direction, there is no need for locking tube 8 in slot 38 since the sides of the slo't will resist displacement'of the tube. If desired, however, a pivoted latch member, diagrammatica'lly indicated at 54, may be employed to hold the tube 8 in-horizontal disposition by engagement of the plug 24.

The apparatus of the invention has a wide variety of uses. For example, storage device 6 may be detached from cradle 28 and employed independently of the latter,

In any event, storage device 6 may be employed in upright position for loading or unloading items such as printed circuit boards 18, which items may also be readily loaded and unloaded when the storage device is horizontally disposed in cradle 28.

The coupling and decoupling of storage device 6 and f cradle 28 are readily eifected by bringing anchor 52 to upright position for insertion intothe center bore of tube tube and spaced axially along said tube, two of said discs being the endmost of said discs and being positioned at opposite extremities of said tube, said discs each being provided with a plurality of radial slots spaced. equally around said tube, theslots of the respective discs being axially aligned,-selected=' ones of said discs being provided with a circular slot concentric with said tube, resilient retaining ringsin the circular slots, said tube having predetermined inner and outer diameters, a plug fixedly engaged Within said tube at'and protruding axially-from oneextremity of the latter, and carrying meanskcon nected to said plug externally of said tube;

2. For use with a spool-like storage rack having a central bore with a plug extending out of one end thereof: a cradle'comprising a support of a length exceeding that of said bore, arched end members on opposite extremities.

of said. support and extending upward from the latter and bowing inwardly towards one another, each end member 'including portions facing in obliquely upward and inward directions respectively,,one end member being provided with a vertical slot located within said portions, said vertical slot having a predetermined breadth which is lessthan the diameter of said .bore','a rod extending throughsaid vertical slot, a cylindrical member on said rod and located'between said end members, and a head on said rod and of greater breadth than saidvertical slot, said member and headsandwiching said one end member therebetween and forming with said rod a unit which I is locked to said onerend member and displaceable' along said vertical slot, said'cylindrical member'having a diameter enabling detachable and, frictional" engagement within said bore, said cylindrical member further having an axial extent permitting relatively limited engagement in said'bore said end members being spaced apart by substantially thelength ofsaid bore, the other of said end members hav'ing a vertical slot opening upwardly therein, the latter said slotlhaving a breadth greater than 7 that of said plug whereby to slidably accommodate the cradle forsupporting said rack; said rack comprising an elongated hollow tube, a plurality of circular discs on and concentric with said tube and spaced axially along said tube, said discs each being provided with a plurality of radial slots spaced around said tube, the slots of the respectivediscs being axially aligned, said tube having predetermined inner and outer diameters, a plug fixedly engaged within said tubev at and protruding axially from one extremity of the latter, and a member connected to said plug. externally of said tube; said cradle comprising a suppontof a length exceeding that of said tube, arched end members on opposite extremities of said support and extending upward from the latterand bowing inwardly towards one another, each end member including portions facing in obliquely upward, and inward directions respectively,=one end member being provided with a vertical slot located in said portions, said vertical slot having a predetermined breadth which is less than the inner and 34 can H diameter of said tube, a rod extending through said vertical slot, a cylindrical anchor on said rod and located between said end members, and a head on said rod and of greater breadth than said vertical slot, said anchor and head sandwiching said one member therebetween and forming with said rod a unit which is locked to said one end member and displaceable along said vertical slot, said anchor having a diameter enabling detachable nd frictional engagement within said tube, said end members having a minimum spacing substantially equal to the length of said tube, the other of said end members having a vertical slot opening upwardly therein, the latter said slot having a breadth smaller than the outer diameter of said tube, but greater than that of said plug whereby to slidably accommodate the latter; said tube being in detachable engagement with said anchor with said plug slidably accommodated in the latter said slot whereby a pivotal displacement of said rack is enabled.

4. Storage apparatus comprising a storage rack and a cradle for supporting said rack; said rack comprising a hollow tube, a plurality of fiat elements on and spaced axially along said tube in parallel relation, said flat elements being provided with a plurality of storage slots disposed around said tube, rubber O-rings in circular slots in said flat elements having predetermined inner and outer diameters, and means fixedly engaged within said tube at and protruding axially from one extremity of the latter; said cradle comprising spaced arched end members bowing inwardly towards one another, each end member including portions facing in obliquely upward and inward directions respectively, one end member being provided with a vertical slot located in said portions, a rod extending through said vertical slot, an anchor on said rod and located between said end members, and a head on said rod, said anchor and head sandwiching said one member therebetween and forming with said rod a unit which is locked to said one end member and displaceable along said vertical slot, said anchor having a diameter enabling detachable and frictional engagement within said tube, said end members being spaced apart by susbtantially the length of said tube, the other of said end members having a vertical slot opening upwardly therein, the latter said slot having a breadth to slidably accommodate said means; said tube being in detachable engagement with said anchor with said means slidably accommodated in the latter said slot whereby a pivotal displacement of said rack is enabled.

5. Storage apparatus comprising a storage rack and a cradle for supporting said rack; said rack comprising an elongated hollow tube, a plurality of discs spaced axially along said tube, said tube having predetermined inner and outer diameters, and a plug fixedly engaged within said tube at and protruding axially from one extremity of the latter; said cradle comprising a support of a length exceeding that of said tube, end members on opposite extremities of said support and extending upward from the latter and bowing inwardly towards one another, each end member including portions facing in obliquely upward and inward directions respectively, one end member being provided with a vertical slot located in said portions and entirely within said one end member, said vertical slot having a predetermined breadth which is less than the inner diameter of said tube, a rod extending through said vertical slot, a cylindrical anchor on said rod and located between said end members, and a head on said rod and of greater breadth than said vertical slot, said anchor and head sandwiching said one member therebetween and forming with said rod a unit which is locked to said one end member and displaceable along said vertical slot, said anchor having a diameter enabling detachable and frictional engagement within said tube, said end members being spaced apart by substantially the length of said tube, the other of said end members having a vertical slot opening upwardly therein, the latter said slot having a breadth smaller than the outer diameter of said tube, but greater than that of said plug whereby to slidably accommodate the latter; said tube being in detachable engagement with said anchor with said plug slidably accommodated in the latter said slot whereby a pivotal displacement of said rack is enabled.

6. Storage apparatus comprising a storage rack and a cradle for supporting said rack; said rack comprising an elongated hollow tube, a plurality of circular discs on and concentric with said tube and spaced axially along said tube at equal distances, two of said discs being the endmost of said discs and being positioned at opposite extremities of said tube, said discs each being provided with a plurality of axially and radially opening radial slots spaced equally around said tube, the slots of the respective discs being axially aligned, selected ones of said discs being provided with a circular slot concentric with said tube, O-rings in the circular slots, and a plug fixedly engaged within said tube at and protruding axially from one extremity of the latter; said cradle comprising an elongated support, arched end members on opposite extremities of said support and extending upward from the latter and bowing inwardly towards one another, each end member including portions facing obliquely upward and inward directions respectively, one end member being provided with a vertical slot located in said portions and entirely within said one end member, a rod extending through said vertical slot, an anchor on said rod and located between said end members, and a head on said rod, said anchor and head sandwiching said one member therebetween andforming with said rod a unit which is locked to said one end member and displaceable along said vertical slot, said anchor being adapted for detachable and frictional engagement within said tube, the other of said end members having a vertical slot opening upwardly therein, to slidably accommodate the plug; said tube being in detachable engagement with said anchor with said plug slidably accommodated in the latter said slot.

7. Storage apparatus comprising a storage rack and a cradle for supporting said rack; said rack comprising an elongated hollow tube, a plurality of circular discs on and concentric with said tube and spaced axially along said tube at equal distances, two of said discs being the endmost of said discs and being positioned at opposite extremities of said tube, said discs each being provided with a plurality of axially and radially opening radial slots spaced equally around said tube, the slots of the respective discs being axially aligned, selected ones of said discs being provided with a circular slot concentric with said tube, a rubber O-ring in the circular slots, said tube having predetermined inner and outer diameters, a plug fixedly engaged within said tube at and protruding axially from one extremity of the latter, and a braided plastic carrying strap connected to said plug externally of said tube; said cradle comprising an elongated planar support of a length exceeding that of said tube, arched end members on opposite extremities of said support and extending upward from the latter and bowing inwardly towards one another, each end member including portions facing in obliquely upward and inward directions respectively, one end member being provided with a vertical slot located in said portions and entirely within said one end member, said vertical slot having a predetermined breadth which is less than the inner diameter of said tube, a rod extending through said vertical slot, a cylindrical anchor on said rod and located between said end members and a head on said rod and of greater breadth than said vertical slot, said anchor and head sandwiching said one member therebetween and forming with said rod a unit which is locked to said one end member and displaceable along said slot, said anchor having a diameter enabling detachable and frictional engagement within said tube, said end members being spaced apart by substantially the length of said tube, the other 7 7 a of said end members having a vertical slot opening up- 'Refer'ences Cited by the Examiner wardly therein, the lattei said'slot having a breadth UNITED S E PATENTS smaller than the outer diameter of said tube but greater a 7 than that of said'plug whereby to slidably accommodate 7 I 571963 f 9/66 Flatt "-1 21141 the latter; said tube being in detachable engagement with 5 I 484563 7 10/92 'Syuwasschy 242-1926 said anchor with said plug slidably accommodated in 7 5071124 7 10/93 f 242-4925 the latter said slot whereby a pivotal displacement of said V 9 11/08 "1"" 242192'6 rack is enabled; a lock on said other end member for 11/57 Welling ---,v retaining said plug and tube; and at least one, circuit; 2899074 8/59, Gulhxson" 211-40 board including electronic components and fricti nall 10 335 /6 "Bogle 211-70 engaged in selected of said radial slots. I 'CLAUDEA. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A STORAGE RACK COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HOLLOW TUBE, A PLURALITY OF CIRCULAR DISCS ON AND CONCENTRIC WITH SAID TUBE AND SPACED AXIALLY ALONG SAID TUBE, TWO OF SAID DISCS BEING THE ENDMOST OF SAID DISCS AND BEING POSITIONED AT OPPOSITE EXTREMITIES OF SAID TUBE, SAID DISCS EACH BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF RADIAL SLOTS SPACED EQUALLY AROUND SAID TUBE, THE SLOTS OF THE RESPECTIVE DISCS BEING AXIALLY ALIGNED, SELECTED ONES OF SAID DISCS BEING PROVIDED WITH A CIRCULAR SLOT CONCENTRIC WITH SAID TUBE, RESILIENT RETAINING RINGS IN THE CIRCULAR SLOTS, SAID TUBE HAVING PREDETERMINED INNER AND OUTER DIAMETERS, A PLUG FIXEDLY ENGAGED WITHIN SAID TUBE AT AND PROTRUDING AXIALLY FROM ONE EXTREMITY OF THE LATTER, AND CARRYING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PLUG EXTERNALLY OF SAID TUBE. 